Bench Warmer

Even though the five star IFF has yet to officially announce the remaining TM friendly games in preparation for WC2018, Saket revealed the list without mentioning the venues during the debate with Ali Karimi on Navad program on Monday.
Despite earlier talks of playing a big team (such as Italy, Netherlands, Brazil) Iran will play Greece. It is still unclear whether this game will be TM farewell game in Azadi before leaving to Russia.
In addition, Iran was supposed to play a friendly match against a WC qualified team in Russia, instead Iran will play Lithuania.
Overall, Iran will play two friendlies against two Asian teams that we met during the qualification: Syria and Uzbekistan. It still remains to be seen if the domestic players would be released from their clubs in a timely manner to play these two games which are supposedly scheduled specifically for their preparation.
We will also play three North African teams: Libya, Tunisia and Algeria to prepare for the game against Morocco.
In addition we will play two Balkan teams: Greece and Turkey, bringing the total number of teams from Mediterranean region to six. These two friendly could be viewed as preparation for the game against Portugal.
And lastly we play the low ranking Lithuania, a Baltic state from the North-Eastern Europe for a light last friendly before the official games begin to build confidence and tweak tactics.

Legionnaire

I've always thought that Dejagah gives 110% for TM and will always have a role in the squad but I'm not so sure now.

Because the message you are sending is important, particularly for the young players. Even for this world cup, I think it's paramount to send the message that competitive games and match fitness is important and that you can't be guaranteed a place in TM based on past form.

CQ has been justifiably ruthless in cutting out previous players (Khalatbari, Teymourian) despite their pedigree and I have a feeling that he will do the same with Ashkan. And I don't think it would particularly be a bad move any more.

Dejagah has spent time in the gym but this is a different world from match fitness and players lose their competitive edge very easily without regular games. He has already lost half a season and now stands to lose a lot more. He will not last 60 minutes of one game, let alone three at this rate. As such his spot might be better spent giving another player who could be on the fringe of squad selection if CQ takes fewer attacking compared to defensive players like he has for Iran and S Africa in previous world cups. (example: Torabi, K.Rezaei/Gucci).

Football Legend

I've always thought that Dejagah gives 110% for TM and will always have a role in the squad but I'm not so sure now.

Because the message you are sending is important, particularly for the young players. Even for this world cup, I think it's paramount to send the message that competitive games and match fitness is important and that you can't be guaranteed a place in TM based on past form.

CQ has been justifiably ruthless in cutting out previous players (Khalatbari, Teymourian) despite their pedigree and I have a feeling that he will do the same with Ashkan. And I don't think it would particularly be a bad move any more.

Dejagah has spent time in the gym but this is a different world from match fitness and players lose their competitive edge very easily without regular games. He has already lost half a season and now stands to lose a lot more. He will not last 60 minutes of one game, let alone three at this rate. As such his spot might be better spent giving another player who could be on the fringe of squad selection if CQ takes fewer attacking compared to defensive players like he has for Iran and S Africa in previous world cups. (example: Torabi, K.Rezaei/Gucci).

That may automatically alert the need of inviting Shojaei back. Not only he's got a good form, it's his right position. Having said that, we have so many forwards in good form who could play that position (Ansarifard, Ghoddos, Taremi, etc., I remember even Torabi got to play there once) that I do not think we will have a problem. Although as a player, Dejagah at top form, was a head and shoulder above everyone else in TM. So in that sense, he will be missed.

Captain

That may automatically alert the need of inviting Shojaei back. Not only he's got a good form, it's his right position. Having said that, we have so many forwards in good form who could play that position (Ansarifard, Ghoddos, Taremi, etc., I remember even Torabi got to play there once) that I do not think we will have a problem. Although as a player, Dejagah at top form, was a head and shoulder above everyone else in TM. So in that sense, he will be missed.

Oh no!!! Now CQ wants to employ people from all kinds of sports to enjoy the country's football money?! First his god son and now this! This man is using our money for himself! He needs to be fired ASAP!

Bench Warmer

Oh no!!! Now CQ wants to employ people from all kinds of sports to enjoy the country's football money?! First his god son and now this! This man is using our money for himself! He needs to be fired ASAP!

Bench Warmer

I've always thought that Dejagah gives 110% for TM and will always have a role in the squad but I'm not so sure now.

Because the message you are sending is important, particularly for the young players. Even for this world cup, I think it's paramount to send the message that competitive games and match fitness is important and that you can't be guaranteed a place in TM based on past form.

CQ has been justifiably ruthless in cutting out previous players (Khalatbari, Teymourian) despite their pedigree and I have a feeling that he will do the same with Ashkan. And I don't think it would particularly be a bad move any more.

Dejagah has spent time in the gym but this is a different world from match fitness and players lose their competitive edge very easily without regular games. He has already lost half a season and now stands to lose a lot more. He will not last 60 minutes of one game, let alone three at this rate. As such his spot might be better spent giving another player who could be on the fringe of squad selection if CQ takes fewer attacking compared to defensive players like he has for Iran and S Africa in previous world cups. (example: Torabi, K.Rezaei/Gucci).

I share the same concern as you do, by the time he recovers from surgery and tries to get back to the line up the season would be almost over. He will have about two months to get back to form to play in WC. Granted he was one of our best players in our last qualifying matches despite lacking club training and playing time, but our WC opponent are no west or central Asian teams.

Yet I think CQ would not give up on him till he tries him at multiple friendlies and expect him to be in the list of 35. If he is not selected for the final squad, given that we would be a more defensive team than the qualifiers, I would think more central and defensive midfielders would be selected rather than giving a chance to another attacking player.

I have not seen Ghoddos in a full game that many times, I have seen him more in attacking role in the highlights. How is he as far as defensive work, holding the ball in the middle of the field, setting the tempo of the game and distributing the ball are concerned?

Football Legend

I have not seen Ghoddos in a full game that many times, I have seen him more in attacking role in the highlights. How is he as far as defensive work, holding the ball in the middle of the field, setting the tempo of the game and distributing the ball are concerned?

Bench Warmer

^ How reliable is this source? I would be very surprised if they cut any game just few days after Saket gave a full list on a most watched program on national tv.

The news you posted refers to IFF site as its source, I looked at IFF web site and did not find any news regarding the friendlies. Perhaps I somehow missed it, would you pleae provide a direct link to the IFF statement on their site?